Western United down Edgeworth 4-0 in Australia Cup round of 32

Lachlan Wales scored twice as the 2022 A-League champions moved into the round of 16. They led the Northern NSW NPL side 3-0 at the break.

Noah Botic looked to have scored the opener for Western United in the ninth minute with a tap-in after Eagles keeper Ben Conway blocked a shot, but he was ruled offside.

Botic, though, got on the board in the 20^th minute with a class touch from close range into the roof of the net off Wales' ball in from the right.

Botic set up United's second goal in the 28^th minute when he strode clear after a turnover on halfway before laying off for Michael Ruhs to score one-on-one.

Wales tapped in for 3-0 in the 31^st minute after Riku Danzaki's scrambling lunge knocked a loose ball his way. His second goal, another tap in, came in the 58^th minute after Conway slipped.

There were some bright moments for the hosts, mostly in the second half.

Joey Melmeth had a shot blocked in the 69^th minute then was wide with another in the 71st after striker Callum Stalling made a run from halfway when Thurgate was dispossessed.

Thurgate, though, had better moments, including a nice ball to Ruhs in the 19^th minute that the striker hit over the bar.

Western United coach John Aloisi said "it was a good hit-out for us" as he brings together several new faces this season after a seventh-placed finish in the league last campaign.

"These games are never easy, so you have to come with the right attitude, and we did that," Aloisi said.

"It was good for us being the first time away with a new group of players and we made it easier for ourselves by scoring a few goals early. Then after that you can control the game a little bit, but there were some positive signs."

Edgeworth survived a torrid run through the cup, beating three top NPL opponents in extra-time matches to make the round of 32.

The toll has shown late in the season as the Eagles faded out of NPL finals contention. Their hopes ended last weekend with a 1-1 draw against Adamstown leaving them four points off the pace. They finish their season against Charlestown at home on Sunday.

Coach Peter McGuinness was pleased with the second-half performance against United after pushing Jacob Pepper out of defence into midfield and asking his side for more attacking intent.

"I think we were too negative [first half] against a team that's sharpish for this time of year, and with an organised press, if you keep going back, you're in trouble," McGuinness said.

"The intent was to play forward a bit more, Peps stepped in there to give us an extra number, and I thought on the right-hand side we shipped it quite well in the wide areas, but the left side, we'd do it once, then break down again.

"But we kept it to a respectable scoreline and I'm happy at the end of the day. The boys got the experience to play against a very good outfit.

"It's a great experience for the young guys, and a good show in regards to the facilities, the ground. It was good."

Broadmeadow lost 4-2 to Sydney United 58 last Friday in their cup game. The Jets host Brisbane Roar at Maitland Sportsground on Monday night.

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